The Striker’s Chance by Rebecca Crowley
Released: September 2, 2012
Contemporary Romance
Carina Press
Reviewed by Mandi
I like sports romances and this is the first I have read of a soccer hero. Once I realized the hero could be David Beckham in my fantasy world, I was sold *wink*
Kepler de Klerk is from South Africa and became famous in England with his amazing soccer skills. He was not only labeled an elite athlete, but also a playboy. One night while driving on icy roads, he crashes his car, seriously injuring himself and a teammate. The press immediately label him the bad guy, and he gets run out of the country. He goes home to South America to heal his leg and lick his wounds. When he gets an offer to go to the states to play for a soccer team in Charlotte, North Carolina he is happy to have another chance at the sport he loves. He still harbors anger towards how he was perceived in England which makes him a broody hero. I do love a broody hero.
Holly Taylor just landed a big PR gig for this new North Carolina soccer team. Her first assignment is to transition Kepler onto the team. This team needs to fill seats, and Holly has a plan in place to make him the darling of the soccer team. Except when she meets him she realizes it’s going to be a tough job. Kepler isn’t thrilled with being managed and trying to keep him out of the tabloids and on time for certain functions is an exhausting task. There is also that pesky problem of a deep chemistry developing between them.
This is a fun story. I’m not super familiar with soccer, but I liked the soccer atmosphere we get in this book. It’s not too much where it overpowers the romance, but Kepler really comes across as a professional athlete. At the same time though, it is stressed that he isn’t that well known in North Carolina, something that would be realistic in the soccer world in my opinion. Besides Beckham, I honestly couldn’t name another famous soccer player.
Kepler doesn’t necessarily like the spotlight. He wants to be more normal, he is tired of overdone women throwing themselves at him. All he wants to do is to play the sport he loves and go home to a cozy house. When that doesn’t happen, he lashes out and Holly is there to take the brunt of it. But Kepler is really a good guy deep down, and that comes across well.
Holly feels conflicted as she wants to be professional, yet she also wants to do dirty things to Kepler. I like how it all plays out. When they do finally make it to the bedroom it made sense and didn’t feel rushed. They have good chemistry together as Holly really gets to know the real Kepler.
I like this author’s voice. Looking forward to more.
Rating: B
Kindle l Nook l Carina Press
Sounds like a fun read. Thanks for posting.
~Decadent
Thanks for this review. I’m in the mood for sports romances and this totally fits the bill so I went and got it. =)
Basic premise sounds nearly identical to Jill Shalvis’s 2010 “Slow Heat” (sub baseball for soccer), although I’m intrigued by the South African heritage (is that explored much). Thanks for the review. Will sample it to see if I want to commit to the purchase!
His heritage is touched on a bit – not a ton
Nice review Mandi, glad you enjoyed it. Personally, I hate soccer. When I was living at home, everything we kids were doing or watching had to go when my father came home, because there was SPORTS on tv. Mostly soccer.
LOL – I understand ;)
I keep eyeing all these different sport romances but I’ve yet to read one. The Striker’s Chance sounds like it might be the perfect book to start with. Thanks :)